Voice builder



R. O. BONELL vdIcE BUILDER May 27, 1930.

Filed March 9, 1929 Min/E5555 INVENTOR.

. RALPH 0.80NELL ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 27, 1930 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RALPH O. BONELL, OF KENOSHA, WISCONSIN VOICE BUILDER Application filed March 9, 1929. Serial No. 345,709.

This invention relates to an instrument the chamber 4 to the tube 1. The boss 5 is adapted to be used for the purpose of cultivatprovided with an opening 8 which establishes ing the speaking and the singing voice, and communication between the tube 1 and chamhas for one of its objects to provide a novel her 4. A tongue 9, which is made from thin f5 instrument through the medium of which hard metal, is of arcuate formation in eleva- 55 since the nasal and head cavities are resonattion and has a plan contour simulating that ing chambers of the greatest importance and of the human tongue, is arranged within the resonance determines the quality and carrychamber 4 in spaced concentric relation to the ing power of every tonethe student may be lateral or curved wall 4 or" the chamber, and

taught in a simple manner and in a comparawith its side edges in spaced relation to the 60 tively short time how to properly use these end walls 4" and 4 of the chamber. The resonating chambers. tongue 9 is provided at one end with radially With the foregoing and other objects in offset lugs 9 which are secured to the wall View, the nature of which will appear as the 4 of the chamber 4 and support the tongue description proceeds, the invention consists with its ends arranged at opposite sides of 65 in the construction, combination and arrang the opening 8 and in spaced relation to the ment of parts hereinafter fully described and lower side of said wall of the chamber. claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying The chamber 4 is provided in the rear side drawing, wherein: of its lateral wall with openings 10 and 11,

Figure 1 is a view partly in top plan and and connected to the chamber in COlnll'llllllCil- 70 partly in horizontal section of the instrument; tion with said openings are tubes 12 and 13,

Figure 2 is a View illustrating the manner respectively. These tubes extend real-wardly in which the instrument is to be used, the inin divergent relation from the chamber 4, strument being shown in vertical section; and are provided at their rear ends with nip- Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the ples 14 and 15 which are adapted to be in 75 vertical plane indicated by the line 3-3 of serted into the nasal passages. The nipples Fi 2; 14 and 15 are carried by the upper ends of Figure 4 is a perspective View of the vibraangular tubes 16 and 17, respectively, which tor of the resonance chamber of the instruare telescopically associated with the tubes nt,and 12 and 13 in order to permit the ellective 80 Figure 5 is a view in end elevation of the length of the latter tubes to be varied. The resonance chamber of the instrument. tubes 16 and 17 extend downwardly and then The instrument comprises a tube 1 which upwardly from the tubes 12 and 13 so as to gradually increases its diameter in the direcso arrange them with respect to the mouthtion of its front end and terminates in the piece 3 as to permit this part and the nipples s5 bell 2. A mouthpiece 3 is telescopically as- 14 and 15 to be readily applied to the lips and sociated with the tube 1 so as to permit it to inserted in the nasal passages, as shown in be adjusted forwardly and rearwardly with Figure 2. To close the outer ends of the respect thereto and thus enable the eiiective nasal passages, the tubes 16 and 17 are prolength or" the tube to be varied. vided w1th flanges 18 and 19, respectively, 90

A resonance chamber 4 is arranged at the which contact with the nose in surrounding upper side of the tube 1 and extends transrelation to said ends of the nasal passages. versely thereof. Vvhile the chamber 4 maybe To permit it to be conveniently supported in of any desired formation, it is shown as cyhnposition for use, the nstrument is provided drical, and is provided at its lower side with with a handle 20 which is arranged at the 90 the boss 5. An annular flange 6 extending uplower side of the tube 1. wardly from the upper side of the tube 1 The lateral wall 4 and end wall 4 of the about an opening 7 formed in said side of chamber 4 are imperi' orate, while the end the tube 1, receives the boss 5 which together wall 4 thereof 1s PIOVlClBCl w1th an opening with the flange 6 serves to detachably connect which is closed by a door 21. The door 21 is hinged, as at 22, and is secured in closed position by a latch which permits the vibration of the door and consists of a pin 23 carried by the wall 4 and a spring strap 24lcarried by the door and provided with an opening for the reception of the pin.

It is now recognized that the singing and speaking voices are identical, produced by the same organs in the same way, and developed by somewhat the same training. It is also recognized that resonance determines the quality and carrying power of every tone, and is therefore the most important element in the training of the voice.

It is further recognized that nasal resonance is the most important resonance that when the vibrations are strong in the nasal chamber of the student they are correctly induced elsewhere, and that the power and largeness of tone depend to a great extent upon the right use of the nasal resonating chamber. My instrument is adapted to permit the student to be taught how to properly use his or her nasal chamber in a comparatively short time. hen the instrument is in use, the tube 1 and resonance chamber l communicate with the mouth, throat, and the nasal chamber with the result that when special exercises are sounded the air in all these parts is vibrated. The vibrations set up in the nasal chambers travel through the tubes 12 and 13 into the resonance chamber l and around the tongue 9, some of them enter the tube 1 by way of the opening 8, and the remainder return to the nasal chamber by way of the tubes 12 and 13. The vibrations being amplified and reinforced in the resonance chamber 4 of the instrument pass back into the nasal chamber and then into the mouth. The vibrations set up in the mouth and throat together with other induced vibrations pass through the mouthpiece 3 and out through the hell 2. The nasal chamber vibrations and the mouth and throat and other vibrations are blended in such a manner as to produce the desired tone. This instrument provides a detachable cavity, which, when resonance is establishednoticeable by vibrations of the door 21 in the chamber Psaid instrument can be removed at will, thus conveying to the student the idea and feeling of true nasal resonance. Therefore when resonance is established in chamber 4 it must be previously and correctly established in the nasal cavities or chambers of the student. It has been found in practice that it requires but a comparatively short time for the student to employ the nasal chamber to the best advantage, and obviates the present objectional practice of closing the nostrils of the student by the fingers.

In addition to developing the natural and correct use of the voice in a comparati ely short time, the instrument corrects faulty production, singing and speaking through the nose and the like. It also corrects muscular interference and eliminates obstructions of the nose in general, develops breath control, develops freedom of the vocal cords and throat, develops a properly relaxed lower jaw, and produces a tone that is practical in voice training and individually beautiful.

While I have described the principle of the invention, together with the instrument which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the instrument shown is merely illustrative and that such changes may be made as desired as fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

hat I claim is:

1. An instrument of the character set forth, comprising a tube having a mouthpiece, a resonance chamber, and means adapted to connect the resonance chamber with the nasal passages.

2. An instrument of the character set forth, comprising an adjustable tube having a mouthpiece, a resonance chamber, and ad justable means adapted to connect the resonance chamber with the nasal passages.

3. An instrument of the character set forth, comprising a tube having a mouthpiece, a resonance chamber, a tongue arranged within the resonance chamber, and means adapted to connect the resonance chamber with the nasal passages.

4:. An instrument of the character set forth, comprising a tube having a mouthpiece, a resonance chamber communicating with the tube, a tongue within the resonance chamber, the tongue being spaced from the lateral wall of the resonance chamber and having its ends arranged at opposite sides of the point of communication between said chamber and tube, and means adapted to connect the resonance chamber with the nasal PHSSSLgGS.

5. An instrument of the character set forth, comprising a tube having a mouthpiece, a cylindrical resonance chamber arranged upon and extending transversely of the tube, the resonance chamber being provided in its lower side with an opening communicating with the tube, an arcuate tongue arranged within the resonance chamber in spaced relation to the lateral wall of said chamber and with its ends arranged forwardly and rearwardly beyond said opening, tubes communicating with the rear side of the res onance chamber, and nipples carried by the tubes.

6. An instrument of the character set forth, comprising a tube having a mouthpiece, a resonance chamber having a vibrating door and means adapted to connect the resonance chamber with tae nasal passages.

7. An instrument of the character set forth, comprising a tube having a mouthpiece, a resonance chamber having an opening in a Wall thereof, a hinged door closing the opening, and a latch for holding the door in closed position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RALPH O. BONELL. 

